A patient has been admitted to the postsurgical nursing unit after surgery. The health care provider has ordered the patient to have an IV of 0.9 sodium chloride. The nurse who is caring for the patient recognizes this as what type of solution?

A. 0.9% sodium chloride (normal saline) is isotonic, meaning it has the same concentration of solutes as blood plasma. It is used to expand intravascular volume and replace fluids and electrolytes.

B. "Hypnotic" refers to medications that induce sleep and has no relevance to IV solutions. This term does not apply to IV solutions.

C. A hypotonic solution has a lower concentration of solutes compared to normal body fluids. Examples include 0.45% sodium chloride (half-normal saline) or 5% dextrose in water (D5W). 0.9% sodium chloride (normal saline) is not hypotonic; rather, it is isotonic.

D. A hypertonic solution has a higher concentration of solutes compared to normal body fluids. Examples include 3% sodium chloride or 5% dextrose in 0.9% sodium chloride. 0.9% sodium chloride (normal saline) is not hypertonic; rather, it is isotonic.

A. A filter needle is used when withdrawing medication from an ampule, but it is not used to administer the injection. After withdrawal, the filter needle should be replaced with a regular IM needle for administration.
B. The ampule should be broken by snapping the neck away from the body, not by bending it to the side, to prevent injury.
C. The nurse should gently tap the top of the ampule, not the bottom, to move the solution downward before opening.
D. The correct technique is to insert the needle into the center of the ampule to withdraw medication, ensuring that the bevel remains below the fluid line to avoid drawing up air.